Healthcare Nightmare

A grandmother died in a filthy and depressing NHS ward which 'removed her rights to dignity', a coroner ruled yesterday.

Margot Kennedy, 78, was not properly washed for six weeks before her death. Nurses at Leicester General Hospital left her in sheets covered with faeces and doctors failed to tackle her refusal to eat as she rapidly lost weight, it was claimed. Her daughters told an inquest that they were forced to 'fight the system' in an attempt to save their mother, but in the end she simply lost the will to live.

Mrs Kennedy, a a retired hosiery worker from Groby, Leicestershire, had a stroke in January last year but remained lucid and independent, the Leicester hearing was told. She was admitted to hospital in March with mild pneumonia and dehydration, and from then on her physical and mental health deteriorated, her family said. Her daughters said they were 'fobbed off' by staff and considered to be a nuisance.

Jenny Kennedy, 53, a solicitor from London, said nurses made it clear that the four sisters were not welcome outside strict visiting hours, despite the family driving hundreds of miles to visit regularly. She described how nurses left her mother lying facing a blank wall in a single room after taking away her television without warning. Mrs Kennedy's fingernails were often caked with feces, she added. The widow turned down the hospital food, possibly due to mental health problems, but was not given a psychiatric assessment.

Miss Kennedy said: 'They had just given her up. She was a nuisance.' The sisters wanted to get their mother out of the hospital, and tried to see a consultant, but an appointment was canceled at the last minute.

Rene Kennedy, 57, told the court: 'I never knew we would have to fight the system to get our mother the essential dignity she was entitled to when she had worked her whole life. 'I believe she ceased to want to exist. I wouldn't have wanted to exist either in the environment where she was.'

The ward sister responsible for Mrs Kennedy admitted 'appalling' standards of care, including leaving Mrs Kennedy in bed for a month. Emma Johns told the inquest: 'There is no excuse for it. At the time we were short-staffed. I was probably spreading myself far too thinly.' Junior doctor Jonathan McClure admitted that he decided not to see his 'very poorly' patient over a busy May bank holiday weekend, despite being told by senior doctors to monitor her potassium levels.

These were dangerously low when the pensioner suffered a cardiac arrest and died days later on May 5. Dr McClure said: 'During bank holiday weekends many patients won't see a doctor. I wish I had seen Mrs Kennedy but I didn't.' Returning an open verdict, coroner Catherine Mason said: 'I can't say [the treatment] directly caused or contributed to her death but it most certainly did cause distress to Mrs Kennedy and her family. It left her in a position where her rights to dignity were removed.'

A spokesman from the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust apologised, saying: 'We have put a plan into action to prevent these issues from happening again.' The Daily Mail has consistently highlighted the plight of patients as part of its Dignity for the Elderly campaign.

Read more HERE.

This is deplorable, regardless of what country it happens in. Staff and Doctors responsible should be charged, but we all know that will likely not happen.

My question is this, is this just a case of neglect, or is this type of thing a symptom of the disease called Universal Healthcare or Socialized Medicine? Is this what patients in the U.S. have to look forward to now that European Style Healthcare has been forced upon us?

God Help us all.....

Rebirth

To any who have randomly visited my blog over the last few years, I am sorry for the inactivity. My health was on a serious decline, and I am just now really getting back on my feet.

I intend to restart my blogging soon. Thanks for all the support and well wishes from my friends and fellow bloggers. I look to be back full force in May or June.

A Thought For Independance Day

I recently came across this video, and I must admit, it pulled at my heart strings, and I got a bit misty eyed. True Patriotism. True Courage. True Honor. I only hope that this video will affect you the same as it did me. And I can only pray to God Almighty that there still are, and will always be men and women with this devotion to our country.

GOD BLESS AMERICA.

A Short Vacation

For those that follow my humble blog, you know that my posting has been nearly nonexistent lately. I have currently been very ill, and with hospital and doctor visits and the like, along with general feeling like crap, I have not had much energy to post.

My surgery is scheduled for the 25th, and provided that things go well, after a short recovery period, I should be back to my old self, minus some OEM parts. I expect a reasonable absence to be at least a month, so please start checking back then. Thanks for your patience. I will miss the blog and all of your comments during my away time.

Thats all for now.....

Derius

A New Gas Cap?

It seems that Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D 22nd District New York) is in the process of drafting a bill that will impose a temporary gas cap, setting prices at the pump at $2.49 per gallon. Here are a few links:

LINK 1
LINK 2
LINK 3
LINK 4

On the surface this may seem link a welcome relief, but anyone who lived through the gas caps in the 70's can probably remember the long lines, and the gas shortages. There are definitely problems associated with such a move. I admit to not having researched this fully yet, but wiser minds than mine are more than welcome to comment here on why gas caps are not always the greatest idea.

Kinda sounds a bit like a typical political power play. The Dems propose it, knowing its potential harm, (but its instant appeal to the over-burdened public) and use it against the POTUS if he vetos, or blame him for the inevitable problems that come if he approves it.

I don't know. You are welcome to throw your $2.49 in.....

Thats all for now.....

Derius

SAY WHAT!?

Gas Station Employee Fired for Fighting Off Robber.

Find the link to this travesty HERE.

I can't believe this crap. What is this world coming to when a company DEMANDS or FORCES us to lay down and put our lives at the mercy of some thug!? Where is this attitude coming from in America today? I mean, we who fight for our rights, especially our 2nd Amendment rights are used to this kind of tactic from anti-gunners, but each time you see something like this it still boggles the mind.

What this statement says to me is that SuperAmerica is more concerned about the possibility of a lawsuit than the preservation of the basic human right to protect ones self from imminent danger or possible death.

I will post further contact details as I learn them. We need to show our support for this brave young man, and let this company know how infuriated we are over this type of action. This guy should be getting some well deserved recognition, not fired for saving a life! I for one, am outraged at this type of behavior, and will be even more so if this gets swept under the rug and no one calls this company to task.

I know some of you say, well just don't work there. Their company, their rules. And thats fine. Obviously you are not one of the people who is able to see what the problem is here.

There are some contact links in the above info. I will post more after I throw up.....

Thats All For Now.....

Derius

Oh. I forgot to list this QUOTE :

Capt. Rick Mathwig of the Roseville Police Department said authorities advise people not to take action when faced with a robbery. "When you start resisting at some way shape or form, the suspect who may not have intended on using the weapon that he or she came with may use it intentionally or unintentionally when faced with a conflict," he said.

Its even worse when this crap is taught to the people by law enforcement. Just lay down now. Don't resist. They MIGHT HURT YOU if you resist. (Then again they MIGHT HURT YOU ANYWAY. Can you put your very life in the hands of a criminal?) Give them whatever they want, including your HEAD if they decide to take it. Just ONE MORE REASON to have the ability, PROPER knowledge, and the TOOLS necessary to protect yourself.

I feel sick again.....

Mike Judge Talks New Live-Action Beavis and Butt-Head Film

'I used to hate the idea for years, and now I think maybe there's something there,' writer/director tells MTV News.

A bit off track for my usual posts, but definitely something I'd watch. Go HERE for the full scoop.

A little juvenile, but isn't that what makes it so damn funny?

Also, while you're at it, check THIS out. Good stuff.

And a joke my Dad told me the other day. Its a bit mature so fair warning.

Monica Lewinsky was looking at herself nude in a mirror, after a relaxing bath. Her frustration over her lack of ability to lose weight was depressing her. In an act of desperation, she decided to call on God for help. "God... if you take away my love handles, I'll devote my life to you," she prayed. And just like that... her ears fell off!

Heh, heh.

And last but not least, some examples of random stupidity from varying sources.

I was at the checkout of a local retail store. The clerk rang up $46.64 charge. I gave her a fifty dollar bill. She gave me back $46.64. I gave the money back to her and told her that she had made a mistake in MY favor. She became indignant and informed me she was Educated and knew what she was doing, and returned the money again. I gave her the Money back... same scenario! I departed the store with the $46.64.

I walked into a Starbucks with a buy-one-get-one-free coupon for a Grande Latte. I handed it to the girl and she looked over at a little chalkboard that said 'buy one-get one free.' 'They're already buy-one-get-one-free,' she said, 'so I guess they're both free'. She Handed me my free Lattes and I walked out the door.

One day I was walking down the beach with some friends when one of them shouted, 'Look at that dead bird!'. Someone looked up at the sky and said, 'Where'?

While looking at a house, my brother asked the real Estate agent which direction was north because, he explained, he didn't want the sun waking him up every morning. She asked, 'Does the sun rise in the north?' When my brother explained that the sun rises in the East, and has for sometime, she shook her head and said, 'Oh I don't keep up with all that stuff.'

I used to work in technical support for a 24/7 call center. One day I got a call from an individual who asked what hours the call center was open. I told him, 'The number you dialed is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.' He responded, 'Is that Eastern or Pacific time?' Wanting to end the call quickly, I said, 'Uh, Pacific.'

My sister has a lifesaving tool in her car designed to cut through a seat belt if she gets trapped. She keeps it in the trunk.

My friends and I were on a beer run and noticed that the cases were discounted 10%. Since it was a big party, we bought 2 cases. The cashier multiplied 2 times 10% and gave us a 20% discount.

I couldn't find my luggage at the airport baggage area, so I went to the lost luggage office and told the woman there that my bags never showed up. She smiled and told me not to worry because she was a trained professional and I was in good hands. 'Now,' she asked me, has your plane arrived yet?'

While working at a pizza parlor I observed a man ordering a small pizza to go. He appeared to be alone and the cook asked Him if he would like it cut into 4 pieces or 6. He thought about it for some time before responding. 'Just cut it into 4 pieces; I don't think I'm hungry enough to eat 6 pieces.'


Derius